Track-wrench.



Patented May 19, 1914.

amuwutoz wi/tmeooco WASHINGTON n c FITTED TAES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. BIDINGER, OF WOODSTOCK, MARYLAND.

TRACK-WRENCH.

memes.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. BIDINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Noodstock, in the county of Howard and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track- VVrenches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in wrenches and more particularly to a ratchet wrench and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is particularly adapted for use in connection with railway tracks.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a device for the support of the main operating parts of the wrench in connection with a rail, whereby the nuts may be quickly and readily applied. on the bolts which are secured to the rails and a still further object resides in providing a device which is so constructed as to enable a single person to apply the joint in the rail.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a device which is sim ple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very eflicient and useful in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device constructed in accordance with my invention and showing parts broken away. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the lever portion thereof in section. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the nut engaging member of the wrench, with a portion thereof in section. Fig, 4 is a similar view of the nut engaging member, with the other parts of the device associated, therewith shown in section. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the device. Fig. 6 is a sec tion as seen on line 66, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow; and Fig. 7 is a similar view as seen on line 7 7, of Fig. 1.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views and in which Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1914.

Application filed lfovember 8, 1913. Serial No. 799,960.

1 indicates a main supporting plate, to the one end of which is pivotally mounted a depending side supporting plate 2. The main plate 1 is provided at a point adjacent its opposite end with a slot 3 and formed also on said plate to extend through the slottherein are a plurality of transverse openings 4. A pintle 5 is adapted to extend through one of the series of openings 4, the same forming a pivot pin for the upper reduced end 6 of an additional and depending side plate 7. The upper portion of the plate 7 has the lugs or projections 8 formed thereon which are adapted to contact with the under face of the main supporting plate 1 to limit the swinging movement of said plate 7 in one direction. In order to limit the swinging movement of the plate in the opposite direction, a block 9 is provided and adapted for introduction in the slot 3 be tween the one face of the plate 7 and the one end wall of said slot, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The lower portion of said block 9 is offset at several points thereon, as shown at '10, to permit the same to be used in connection with the plate 7 when the latter is adjusted to the various open ings 4 of the series thereof in the plate 1.

The lower portion of the plate 2 has an opening 11 formed therein which receives therethrough a stub shaft or the like 12, the end of the stub shaft abutting the inner face of the plate 2 being enlarged, as shown at 13 and designed to provide a socket 14 therein. That portion of the stub shaft continuing from the portion received directly in the opening 11, is slightly reduced in diameter and is threaded for a short portion of its length, as shown at 15. A collar 16 is engaged with the threaded portion 15, the

same abutting against the outer face of the plate 2 and thereby securing said stub shaft with the socket thereon in position in the plate. Applied to the outer projecting portion of the stub shaft is a ratchet 17, the same being provided with ribs or tongues 18 on its inner eriphery which are received in longitudinal grooves 19 formed in said stub shaft.

Loosely applied on the stub shaft 12 to abut against the outer face of the ratchet 17, is the lower end of a lever 20 and also applied on said stub shaft to abut the outer face of the lever, is a collar 21. The collar is provided at diametrically opposite points thereon with lugs 22 which have alining openings theretln'ough, the same being adapted for alinement with a transverse passage 23 in the stub shaft 12, adjacent the outer end of the latter. A cotter pin or the like 524 is adapted to be disposed through the alining openings and passage to securely retain the parts of the device on the stub shaft.

The lower portion of the lever 20 is offset or reduced, as shown at 25 and pivotally mounted on a pintle 26, in said reduced portion, is a pawl 27, the effective end of which is adapted for engagement with the ratchet 17. An additional opening 28 is formed in the reduced portion of the lever 20, adjacent the pivotal point of the pawl 27, whereby said pawl may be reversed in its position, if desired.

It will be seen that when the device is applied to use, the main supporting plate 1 is adapted to be positioned on the upper plat-es at the head of the rail, so that the plates 2 and 7 project on opposite sides thereof. The plate 7, having been properly braced in position, by means of the block 9, is adapted to depend downwardly so as to permit the lower end of the same to rest upon the base flange of the rail or the base flange of the angle bar, if the latter be used. The lower portion of said plate 7 is also notched deeply, as shown at 29, whereby to receive therein a portion of the head of the bolt, upon which a nut is to be applied. It will be understood that the nut is already applied by hand to the outer end of the bolt and said nut is adapted to be received in the socket portion 14: of the head 13. lVhen so positioned, it is only necessary for the operator to overlap the lever 20. The actuation of the lever 20 in one direction will permit the free end of the pawl 27 to be positively engaged with the teeth of the ratchet to turn the latter and correspondingly turn the nut home upon the bolt. The lever 20 being loosely applied on the stub shaft is, of course, capable of actuation in one direction, without affecting the atchet, in view of the particular pivotal connection of the pawl 27.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved device, the operation thereof will be readily understood and it will be seen that I have provided an improved Wrench for use in connection and useful in operation.

\Vhile I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is 1. A device of the class described comprising a supporting plate, a side plate hinged to one end thereof, a member rotatably mounted in the side plate for engagement with the nut of a bolt, means carried by said member to rotate the same, a second side plate pivotally connected to the supporting plate adjacent the opposite end thereof, means for limiting the swinging movement of the second plate in one direction, and said second side plate having a notch formed therein at its lower end for engagement with the head of the bolt, as and for the purpose described.

2'. A device of the class described comprising a supporting plate adapted tobe positioned transversely on a track rail, a side plate hingedly connected at its upper end to one end of the supporting plate, a rotatable member mounted in the side plate for engagement with the nut of a bolt, means for rotating said member, said supporting plate having a slot formed therein at its opposite end, a second side plate pivotally mounted in said slot, means for adjusting the second side plate longitudinally of said supporting plate, means for limiting the swinging movement of said second side plate in one direction, and the lower end of said second side plate having a notch formed therein for engagement with the head of said bolt, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

111 CHARLES A. BIDINGER mark- \Vitnesses:

E. M. MELLOR, Jr, WM. D. B. HEPNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. G. 

